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A Late, Hard-Fought Victory Sends Al Ahli to the Top of the Saudi Pro League

Al Ahli returned to the summit of the Saudi Pro League standings — albeit temporarily — after grinding out a hard-fought and valuable 1-0 win away to Al Riyadh at Prince Faysal bin Fahd Stadium in Match week 24.

The victory followed a tense and cautious encounter, marking Al Ahli’s fifth consecutive league win and underlining their rising form in recent weeks. With the result, the “Royal” side moved to 59 points at the top of the table, one point ahead of closest challengers Al Nassr, who face Al Fayha away on Saturday. Al Riyadh, meanwhile, remain on 16 points in 15th place, further complicating their battle to avoid relegation.

The first half saw Al Ahli enjoy relative dominance in terms of possession and control, dictating the tempo in midfield and attempting to vary their attacking approach through both flanks and central areas. However, the more dangerous moves came from the hosts, who exploited the spaces behind Al Ahli’s defensive line and threatened on several occasions, only to lack the decisive final touch.

Moments before the break, Al Ahli thought they had taken the lead when Brazilian defender Roger Ibañez rose highest to meet a header and found the net. However, VAR intervened and ruled the goal out for offside in the build-up, leaving the first half goalless.

In the second half, Al Ahli maintained their attacking pressure in search of the breakthrough. Brazilian winger Galeno found the net with a powerful header in the 59th minute, but once again the celebrations were cut short as the goal was disallowed for offside.

The decisive moment arrived in the 75th minute when Al Riyadh’s Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan misjudged a corner delivered by Galeno, inadvertently turning the ball into his own net to hand Al Ahli the winning goal.

In the closing stages, England international Ivan Toney appeared to have doubled the advantage, but the assistant referee’s flag was raised for offside, leaving the own goal as the only difference between the two sides.

With this crucial victory, Al Ahli collected three vital points that lifted them back to the top of the table and kept the pressure firmly on their closest rivals in the title race.

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